The Cavaliers men’s soccer team suffered their first CSAC loss, falling at Neumann University by a score of 2-0 on Saturday, Oct. 6. It was the Cavaliers first away game against a CSAC opponent.
The Knights came out aggressive with senior Brandon Green getting the first shot on goal just one minute and 19 seconds into the game forcing junior goalkeeper Eric Nowicki to make a save.
Not to be outdone, the Cavaliers counter-attacked with a shot from Kyle Johnson. But Neumann junior goalkeeper Alex Lacko was up to the task.
The Knights controlled the ball for majority of the first half. Early in the 5th minute, Knights senior Michael Frei had a shot hit the post.
The score remained level throughout the first half although the Knights had ample opportunities to score. Neumann outshot Cabrini seven to one with Nowicki ending the half with two saves.
As the second half opened up, the Knights again controlled the play as they pounded the attacking zone racking up 14 shots in the half compared to Cabrini’s two.
After 23 minutes of scoreless play in the second half, the Knights finally broke through the Cavaliers’ defense off of a throw in from senior Mike McCarthy to freshman Caleb Clanton. Clanton put the ball past Nowicki to tally the first goal of the contest.
Just 10 minutes later, Clanton struck again, getting the ball past Nowicki for his second goal on the day and iced the game putting the Cavaliers down by two.
Cabrini had a final offensive push, with Johnson getting another opportunity in the 86th minute. But Lacko once again made the save. He finished the day with three saves on three shots, all coming from Johnson.
The Knights outshot the Cavaliers 21-3 on the day. Only five of the Knight’s shots were on target as Nowicki had three saves on the day.
The loss drops the Cavaliers to 4-6-2 overall and 2-1-1 in the CSAC.
The Cavaliers are back in action Monday, Oct. 8th at 4 p.m. at Edith Robb Dixon Field against CSAC opponent Rosemont College.
